CountyScore

Briscoe County

Texas · TX

#45 in Texas
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Briscoe County, Texas

Briscoe Scores Well Above U.S. Median

Briscoe County scores 73.2, outpacing the national median of 50.0 by 46%, making it a clear performer in the upper tier of U.S. counties for livability. This strong showing is driven almost entirely by exceptional housing affordability and low taxes.

Among Texas's Better Counties

Briscoe's 73.2 significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the upper quartile of Texas counties. It ranks among the stronger performers in the state, though incomplete data prevents a fuller assessment.

Lowest Housing Costs in This Sample

Briscoe boasts a cost score of 90.0—the highest among these eight counties—with median home values of just $82,900 and rent at $692/month, among the lowest rates statewide. A tax score of 71.8 with an effective rate of 1.084% adds further financial relief for residents.

Severe Income Poverty and Major Data Gaps

Briscoe's income score of 10.3 reflects a median household income of only $41,188—the second-lowest in this group—indicating serious income constraints and limited local job quality. Five dimensions (safety, health, schools, risk, water) lack any data, preventing full livability assessment.

For Retirees and Remote Workers Only

Briscoe County is best suited to retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers earning elsewhere who seek the absolute lowest cost of living in Texas. It's unsuitable for families dependent on local wages, given the severe income challenges and lack of data on schools and safety.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax71.8Cost90SafetyComing SoonHealth44.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.3Risk91.3WaterComing Soon
🏛71.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤44.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Briscoe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
Arkansas
67.6
Median income: $71,449
Fayette County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $58,764
Madison County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $89,542
Anderson County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $64,925
Meade County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $74,868

Deep Dives

Briscoe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Briscoe County

via TaxByCounty

Briscoe ranks as lightly taxed nationally

Briscoe County's effective tax rate of 1.084% sits essentially at the national median of 1.09%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties on tax burden. However, the median property tax of just $899 falls far below the national median of $2,690, thanks to significantly lower home values.

Below-average rate for Texas

At 1.084%, Briscoe County's effective rate runs below Texas's 1.276% average, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. The median tax of $899 is merely 41% of the Texas median of $2,193, reflecting Briscoe's modest property values.

Comparable to nearby low-tax counties

Briscoe County's 1.084% rate closely mirrors Borden County's 0.468% and Bosque County's 1.008%, placing it in the state's lighter-tax tier. All three counties share affordability characteristics that appeal to budget-conscious homeowners.

Your median annual tax bill: $899

On Briscoe County's median home value of just $82,900, homeowners pay approximately $899 per year without a mortgage and $1,500 with one. These modest tax bills reflect both the county's reasonable effective rate and lower property market values.

Verify your appraisal is accurate

Even in low-tax Briscoe County, homeowners should confirm their property valuations are fair and defensible. Filing a free appeal with the county appraisal district could further reduce an already light tax load.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Briscoe County

via CostByCounty

Briscoe's bargain rents offset tight budgets

Briscoe County's median household income of $41,188 ranks among Texas's lowest—45% below the U.S. average—yet the 20.2% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable. At just $692 monthly rent, residents enjoy some of the state's most accessible housing costs.

Briscoe balances poverty with affordability

Despite one of Texas's lowest income levels, Briscoe County's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks above average for the state, reflecting the challenge of sparse population and limited economic opportunity. However, the $692 monthly rent helps working families stay housed.

Briscoe offers Panhandle's cheapest rents

Briscoe's $692 monthly rent is among the lowest in the Texas Panhandle, with only Childress and Motley counties offering similarly low rates. The $82,900 median home value is one of the state's most affordable, rivaling only the poorest rural counties.

Homeownership costs are minimal

Briscoe's $399 monthly owner cost represents just 11.6% of median income—extraordinarily low and far below the rent burden. For the rare buyer in this county, mortgages are nearly invisible relative to income, making homeownership the clear financial advantage.

Briscoe suits those seeking bare minimums

Briscoe County's $692 rent and $82,900 home value represent Texas's most affordable housing options, ideal for those prioritizing cost over amenities. However, extremely low incomes and sparse services mean this High Plains county suits only those committed to rural life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Briscoe County

via IncomeByCounty

Briscoe County faces severe national income deficit

Briscoe County's median household income of $41,188 falls 45% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lowest-income tier nationally. Its per capita income of $40,723 notably exceeds the Texas state average of $33,197, suggesting income inequality or unique demographic patterns within the county.

Among Texas's lowest-income counties

At $41,188, Briscoe County's median household income is 36% below the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking it near the bottom among the state's counties. The significant gap reflects limited employment diversity and economic opportunity in this rural region.

Second-lowest earner in regional comparison

Briscoe's $41,188 household income outearns only Brooks ($31,310) among this county group but substantially trails all other neighbors. The county faces severe income disadvantages relative to mid-tier performers like Borden ($64,250) and Bosque ($69,339).

Affordable housing is main economic advantage

Briscoe County's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio and low median home value of $82,900 represent the county's primary affordability strength. Housing costs remain manageable, but the low median household income of $41,188 still limits household wealth accumulation.

Stability and gradual growth essential for Briscoe residents

With median household income at $41,188, Briscoe County residents should establish emergency funds and explore stable employment before investing. Taking advantage of low housing costs to build home equity can provide a foundation for long-term wealth while pursuing income-boosting opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Briscoe County

via HealthByCounty

Briscoe Faces Serious Health Crisis

Briscoe County reports 30.1% of residents in poor or fair health—among the worst rates in Texas. While specific life expectancy data is unavailable, this exceptionally high poor health rate signals significant population health challenges and urgent need for intervention.

Worst-in-Class Health Reporting

Briscoe's 30.1% poor or fair health rate dramatically exceeds Texas's population averages and ranks among the state's most distressed counties. With 21.5% uninsured, the county faces both health crises and coverage barriers.

Regional Health Crisis

Briscoe's 30.1% poor health rate far exceeds all regional peers—more than double Brewster's 17.9% and substantially worse than Bowie's 21.6%. Even with 71 primary care providers per 100K, these resources appear insufficient to address the population's acute health needs.

Limited Resources, High Need

Briscoe provides 71 primary care providers per 100K but lacks documented mental health provider data, suggesting limited behavioral health capacity. With 21.5% uninsured and 30.1% in poor health, the county faces a crisis of both access and demand.

Urgent: Get Covered Now

If you're among Briscoe's 21.5% uninsured residents, accessing coverage is critical. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or call your local health department—insurance can connect you to the primary care providers in your county and improve your health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Briscoe County

via RiskByCounty

Briscoe ranks among America's safest counties

Briscoe County's composite risk score of 8.75 earns a Very Low rating and sits 82% below the national average. This Texas Panhandle county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.

One of Texas's lowest-risk counties

Briscoe's 8.75 score ranks among the absolute lowest in Texas, sitting just 18% of the state average of 49.00. Few counties in the state enjoy comparable protection from natural hazards.

Safest county in its High Plains region

Briscoe (8.75) significantly underperforms riskier neighbors like Borden (5.69) and Bosque (36.90) in regional comparisons. Its Panhandle location and flat terrain combine to create one of Texas's most secure disaster profiles.

Wildfire presents limited but real threat

Wildfire risk of 57.98 is Briscoe's only meaningful exposure, while tornado risk (15.33) remains below state norms. Flood, earthquake, and hurricane threats are negligible in this remote grassland county.

Standard insurance with wildfire rider suffices

Briscoe County's very low risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most properties. Adding wildfire coverage is a prudent and affordable step given the county's only notable hazard exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.